The next two meetings in the Western Cape province of South Africa have both been postponed following a jockey protest that disrupted the Durbanville event on March 26, 2025. Races 4 through 8 were abandoned on Wednesday and more information has now been forthcoming.
The protest stemmed from the suspension of jockey Grant van Niekerk by the National Horseracing Authority (NHA) after he made critical remarks about the regulator following the second race that day. In response to his suspension, a group of jockeys immediately downed tools.
The boss of Cape Racing has subsequently described the strike as illegal and has accused the riders of being in breach of contract. His tone was certainly confrontational and it will be interesting to see how the jockey's respond.
The protest stemmed from the suspension of jockey Grant van Niekerk by the National Horseracing Authority (NHA) after he made critical remarks about the regulator following the second race that day. In response to his suspension, a group of jockeys immediately downed tools.
The boss of Cape Racing has subsequently described the strike as illegal and has accused the riders of being in breach of contract. His tone was certainly confrontational and it will be interesting to see how the jockey's respond.